HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website:

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HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM 1 4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca. 93003 Phone (805) 644-2899 Fax (805) 644-2887 Website: www.amhayam.

At a certain stage of the cooling process, the test poured water into a line of goblets. Two of the goblets which stood side by side looked exactly alike.

The tester remarked, It s what the glass if made of, not what you put into it, that counts.

Consequently, the way that those misfortunes are held and shaped is determined by the quality of one s soul.

see themselves as coincidental accidents that occurred in the world; their ability to cope with life s challenges is limited.

1 HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From From The The Rabbi s Rabbi s Study Study June May The Harvest of Our Years A tester in a glass factory once conducted a very simple test. At a certain stage of the cooling process, the test poured water into a line of goblets. Two of the goblets which stood side by side looked exactly alike. But as the water was poured from the same pitcher, one of the goblets broke, and the other did not. The tester remarked, It s what the glass if made of, not what you put into it, that counts. Trouble, pain and anguish are poured into every soul, in much the same way that the water was poured into the goblets. Consequently, the way that those misfortunes are held and shaped is determined by the quality of one s soul. Some people have given little thought to their emotional and spiritual lives and.see themselves as coincidental accidents that occurred in the world; their ability to cope with life s challenges is limited. Others see themselves differently, as created in the Image of the Divine. Those are people who continue to aspire to great goodness. As the poet John Greenleaf Whittier ( ), the abolitionist and poet, wrote: We shape ourselves the joy or fear Of which our coming life is made, And fill our future atmosphere With sunshine and with shade. The tissue of the life to be We weave with colors all our own, And in the field of destiny We reap as we have sown. continued continued

2 2 The Shavuot holy days this month recall the harvesting of the first fruits, which were presented publicly at the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem. This can surely be seen as a metaphor for our lives. The years roll on, and we sow the seeds of our lives, and we reap life just as we sow it. It takes time--the Yiddish proverb states, G!d waits long, but pays with interest. We hopefully are able to present the first fruits of our lives--the best of ourselves--publicly every day in the Holy Temple of our lives and relationships, for in time, life becomes the harvest of our years. May we bring the first fruits of our characters, the first fruits of our goodness and our kindness, to one another and to all people, so that life becomes more precious, more beautiful, more worthwhile, to everyone we encounter, precisely because of us. Those who strive to live such a life already know that they are paid with interest, for they reap the joy of reaping what they have sown. Kein y hi ratzon--may it be for us this Chag HaBikkurim, this Shavuot, the Holiday of the First Fruits, that we have rich fruits to place in our baskets, to present to the world, which sorely needs them. Hag Samei-ah--A meaningful, joyful Shavu ot holy day. Rabbi J.B. Sacks

3 3 Message from Brenda Rich Greetings: Sorry if you were not at our delightful community 2 nd night of Passover Seder. The Seder ran very smoothly, was full of interesting information, discussion and song and was thoroughly enjoyed. Soon to be graduate of high school, Ryan Moore was there with a group of friends who added insight into our discussions. The glees of laughter and joy from 4 ½ year old, Ella Resnick, when she found the Afikomen brought smiles to all our faces. As usual, Isidro Lucero served a delicious Seder meal. Please do not miss out next year. Don t miss Fran Lande s article on the Significant Book club discussion on Saturday, May 5 th, after Services and during our Kiddush. Coming up on Sunday, March 6 th at 2 p.m., is the Fratellli Gay Mens Choir from Santa Barbara. It will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church; 721 Doris Avenue; Oxnard Tickets are $ See flyer elsewhere in the Migdalor. This is an event not to be missed. This is a joint presentation by the Diversity Collective of Ventura County and Congregation Am HaYam. Shavuot will soon be here. Erev Shavuot is on Saturday, May 19 th. At 5:30 our evening of celebration will begin with a dairy dinner at 5:30 p.m. for $10.00 per person; children 8-18 $5.00. Temple Beth Torah, Temple Ner Ami, Jewish Community of Ojai and Jewish Federation of Ventura County will be joining with Congregation Am HaYam to celebrate Shavuot together featuring special music, poems and readings in honor of Israel s 70 th anniversary. Eat, learn, pray and rejoice together. See flyer in Migdalor for additional information. Services for Shavuot continue at Am HaYam on Sunday, at 10 a.m. and on Monday at 10 a.m. There will be a Yizkor Service on Monday. All these events and services need to be attended and supported by each and everyone. CAH volunteers work hard to bring you these events. Our Rabbi works long hours to bring you informative D var Torahs every Shabbat. Do not disappoint them. Shalom, Brenda

4 4 Tree Planted In Israel April 2018 To Steven Karash Speedy and complete recovery From Brenda and Arnie Rich To Lois Lehman Speedy and complete recovery From Myrna Winer and Jerry Cordova To Fil Barton Thank you for your kindness From Myrna Winer and Jerry Cordova To Mr and Mrs Art Kitzler Congratulations on your marriage From Fran Baghdad In Honor Of Norm Kanter IHO CAH Roz & Mort Resnick IHO Ruth Resnick's 70th birthday Martha Zoloth IHO CAH

5 5 Family Promise We Can Help Relieve Homelessness We see them on the streets - the homeless. We ask ourselves, who are they? How did they get here? Could it be me? How can I help? Family Promise is a nationwide program started 32 years ago by a synagogue in New Jersey. The shul got several other congregations and churches together to host a homeless family for one week, and provide services to help them find a permanent home. The family rotated among the host congregations until they could secure a permanent place to live, a process that took about days. West Ventura County has started our own Family Promise Program. Eight congregations, including Temple Beth Torah, have agreed to host one or more families, up to 14 individuals, for one week, about four times each year. The families sleep and eat dinner and breakfast at the host facility, but leave early in the morning for a day center where they shower, do laundry, use the computer and work with a social worker to find a job and housing. The host congregation provides shelter and food. The families are referred to the program by schools, social workers and others. Smaller congregations like ours are being asked to support the host congregation. That s where we come in. Volunteer Now!!!! Thanks, Miriam Mack

6 6 CONGREGATION AM HAYAM SPONSORS FRATELLI MEN S CHORUS PERFORMANCE Only Congregation Am HaYam s innovative Ways and Means Committee could bring a men s chorus from Santa Barbara to a Lutheran Church in Oxnard under the sponsorship of the Diversity Collective, a newly formed Ventura LGBTQ organization. Fratelli Men s Chorus will be making its first Ventura County appearance on Sunday, May 6 th, at 2 pm, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oxnard (see flyer for more details.) The acclaimed chorus of 24 men s voices will sing classical as well as popular songs during their performance. Renowned tenor Eduardo Villa, who has performed internationally in the most prestigious opera houses in the United States, Europe and Asia, and under the baton of Placido Domingo, will be the featured artist. This concert is Congregation Am HaYam s main fundraiser for the year. Tickets are only $20, but we need every member and supporter of Congregation Am HaYam to not only buy a ticket, but to become a sponsor at levels ranging from $50 to $500. Bring your family and music-loving friends to an afternoon of joy they will long remember. Tickets are available at or directly by calling Congregation Am HaYam at For further information contact Marc Goldman at

7 7. The Diversity Collective of Ventura County & Congregation Am HaYam present Sunday, May 6, :00 Pm Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 721 Doris Avenue Oxnard, CA General Admission $20.00 Fratelli is a chorus of gay men and their allies meeting in Santa Barbara, California that seeks to create musical experiences that inspire compassion, community, pride and activism. This concert will be Fratelli s first performance in Ventura County. It was founded in 2016 by its director, Zack Thomas Wilde. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite.com Search Fratelli, Ventura County beginning Monday, March 26. OR CALL FOR TICKETS: (805) Marc Goldman (805) Diversity Collective of VC The Diversity Collective of Ventura County and Congregation Am HaYam are in partnership to bring Fratelli, a men s chorus, to Ventura County. Both organizations are 501c3, non-profit. The funds we raise from this event will support the continuation of programs within Ventura County that nurture a spirit of justice, positive inclusion and diversity. Sponsorships & Program Ads are available. Contact Marc at for

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9 9 SIGNIFICANT BOOK CLUB The next discussion for the Significant Book Club will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 after services, during Kiddush. We will be discussing Yitzhak Rabin Soldier, Leader, Statesman by Itamar Rabinovich. It is an insider s perspective on the life and influence of Israel s first native-born prime minister, his bold peace initiatives, and his tragic assassination. The book can be purchased at a 40% discount with the code RABIN at Additionally, the book can be bought on Amazon, using Amazon smile of course. As participants in Jewish Lives, we will again have access to their phenomenal resources, including a reading guide and a recording of the live stream/ recording of the author discussing the book. The Rabin Reading Guide can be found at: readingguiderabin. The recording of the live stream can be found on the website also. Even if you cannot read the book, I encourage you to attend the discussion, as one can always learn from the fellow participants. The next book we will read is Rabbi Akiva:Sage of Torah by Barry W. Holtz - a compelling and lucid account of the life and teachings of a founder of rabbinic Judaism and one of the most beloved heroes of Jewish history. Look for more details in the next Migdalor. For further information about the discussion or book, please contact Fran Lande, Adult Education VP at fblande@gmail.com..

10 Mondays with Mort 10 During the month of May there WILL BE sessions of Mondays With Mort at CAH at 10:30 AM every Monday except for Monday, May 21st and 28th. Question of the Month: Which tribes were excluded from the lottery to receive land in Israel? The answer can be found at Also be sure to check out the entire Mondays with Mort web site at and the CAH web site at Remember!!!!!! SCRIP = GIFT CARDS Purchasing scrip means buying gift cards!! CAH can meet all your needs: Markets; Restaurants; Dept. Stores; Entertainment; Gas Cards; Brent s Deli; Ventura Kosher Market and more Contact Brenda Brenda.bashful16@gmail.com

11 11 May Birthdays Bob Packer 2 Steven Goch 17 May Anniversaries NO ANNIVERSARIES If your birthday or anniversary is not acknowledged please me at bfrosen@gmail.com

12 Food Share Collection Food Share The Good News and the BETTER News The good news is Food Share came and emptied an entire barrel of non-perishable food donated by members of CAH.

12 12 Food Share Collection Food Share The Good News and the BETTER News The good news is Food Share came and emptied an entire barrel of non-perishable food donated by members of CAH. The BETTER news is that the barrel is again empty, sitting in the lobby, and waiting for more of your donations! Please take a paper bag and return it full of non-perishable foodstuffs to help the one in six people of Ventura County who are food insecure. Let this be your first Mitzvah of the New Year! A Community of Caring We are a family, and sometimes our members need to know there are people who are concerned about them. If you or someone you know in the CAH family is ill, bereaved or in need of consolation, condolence or acknowledgement of a happy event, please contact Brenda Rich so she can alert our volunteers who will reach out to offer a caring voice or helping hand.

13 13 Get Well Norma Van Riper Mort Resnick Dianne Ruthman Fred Rosen Ann Sperber Herb Stein Roz Resnick Lee Rothschild Beth Morales Betty Abramson Bruce Irvine Lois Lebman Bob Packer Sheila Myles Fran Lande Gail Packer Irv Jacobs Elaine Hanig Arnie Rich Nancy Stein Donna Gustafson Jerry Cordova Judith Jacobson Judye Newberger Steven Karash ATTENTION ALL JEWISH WAR VETERANS MEMBERS JWV Post 602 meets in the Veterans Administration Clinic, Recreation Building 22, Plummer Street, North Hills, CA. They meet the 1st Sunday of each month, at 10:00 am and all Jewish Veterans are welcome to attend. Please join us there.

14 YAHRZEIT 14 May 4, *Bertha Gustafson, Father-In-Law of Donna Gustafson *William Halpern, Father of Kenny Halpern Fay Rubenstein, Mother-In-Law of Miriam Rubinstein May 18, Nathan Matlin, Grandfather of Myra Matlin *Aaron Resnick, Father of Mort Resnick and Father-In-Law of Ruth Resnick Sara Light, Sister of Herb Stein Joseph Stein, Father of Herb Stein *Inscribed on Memorial Wall

15 May 2018 Iyar Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Happy Birthday Bob Packer Light Candles at 7:25PM Services 8PM Services 10 a.m. Shabbat Ends 8:25PM Significant Book Club 2:00 Pm Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Mondays with Mort 10:30 a.m. Light Candles at 7:31PM Shabbat Ends 8:31PM Shavuot Services 10 am Mondays with Mort 10:30 a.m. Happy Birthday Stephen Goch Light Candles at 7:36PM Services 8PM Services 10 a.m. Shabbat Ends 8:37PM Erev Shavuot Community Celebration Dinner 5:30PM Shavuot Services 10 am Yizkor Service NO Mondays with Mort Light Candles at 8:37 PM Shabbat Ends 8:38 PM NO Mondays with Mort. Memorial Day

16 PAST PRESIDENTS Mort Resnick Arnie Fingerhut z l Jerry Ruthman z'l Peter Shack z'l Brenda Rich OUR VOLUNTEERS Kiddushim - Brenda Rich Oneg Shabbat -Fil Barton Librarian -- Programming Tributes

com phone#323-387-0096 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Brenda Rich brenda.bashful16@gmail.

16 16 PAST PRESIDENTS Mort Resnick Arnie Fingerhut z l Jerry Ruthman z'l Peter Shack z'l Brenda Rich OUR VOLUNTEERS Kiddushim - Brenda Rich Oneg Shabbat -Fil Barton Librarian -- Programming Tributes Telephone Purchasing Yahrzeits Migdalor Sunshine Donna Gustafson Lois Lebman Ruth Resnick Bev Rosen Bev Rosen Webmaster Mort Resnick Publicity Rabbi J. B. Sacks rabbijb@aol.com phone# BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Brenda Rich brenda.bashful16@gmail.com phone# VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER- Lois Lebman SECRETARY - Donna Gustafson CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-Ruth Resnick WAYS & MEANS VP - Marc Goldman MEMBERSHIP VP - Miriam Mack RITUAL VP - Roz Resnick RITUAL VP Emeritus Milt Rothschild z l HOUSING VP - Neal Abramson IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich ADULT EDUCATION VP - Fran Lande DIRECTORS Betty Abramson, Alma Boronkay, Rick Newberger, Andrea Massion

HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website:

HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM 1 4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca. 93003 Phone (805) 644-2899 Fax (805) 644-2887 Website: www.amhayam.com From From The The Rabbi s Rabbi s Study Study April June